We have had so much going on and it is too much to talk about here. I just realized it has been almost a month since we blogged so I am going to leave you with a new picture of Derek until I have a little more time to write the novel.....

Here's Derek showing his culture. We thought ths would be appropriate to wear for the Tet holiday!!!! I had to throw in this picture of him snapping a picture of Tinka with his camera that Santa brought him.

I have been "face" inspired by Jenna over at Stoll My Heart. Thanks Jenna for taking such awesome pics of Ella since it has made me realize that taking a cute picture doesn't always mean it has to be posed. Here's one I took that I love!!!!

Since there is no local Tet Celbrations in our area we had to "ad-lib" our own. Today Derek colored some pictures depicting the Holiday!!!! We also spent time browsing through our pictures from our adoption trip.

HAPPY TET!!!!!!!

If you haven't read this article check it out......
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KA27Ae01.html

What is everyone doing to celebrate the Tet Holiday???? We are making ornaments and coloring pages about Derek's Vietnamese culture!!!!
Do something special with YOUR child!!!!!

OK so here's how it all went down.....
Yesterday Norm's sister brought Derek's birthday gift by and it included Elmo Potty Time video. He loves Elmo and watched the video over and over. Well a miracle happened.....
Derek woke up with a completely dry diaper this morning and after alot of coaxing and teeth brushing he "PEED IN THE POTTY"!!!!!!WOOHOO!!!! Probably just a freak moment but I am going to brag about it for a little while!!!!

Thursday Was A Day Of Fun For Derek, Mommy & Daddy.

We snuck away for the day to attend the annual PA Farm Show in Harrisburg. Derek loved seeing the HUGE tractors and he screamed with excitement everytime we got near one. The animals were something to look at for him but he didn't want to get too close. He again showed greater excitement when we checked out the chickens and the horses. The rest of the animals he just looked at but wouldn't pet. We toured, ate, and chatted with a few friends and then called it a day as we jumped back onto the shuttle bus and snuggled into the car for a restful ride home. Here's a few pictures we took on our adventure....

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY DEREK!!!!!!

Our beautiful boy is two today. Wow we can remember looking at his referral picture when he was just a tiny 3 months old. My how he has grown!!! He has become so comfortable and familiar here and it has made each day a new and EXCITING journey through his life. We are so thankful to God for bringing him home to us.

Dear Derek,
We waited such a long wait for you to be a part of our family. But each day with you all of that slowly fades into the background. It seems like you have been a part of our family from the day we looked upon your picture. We love you with all of our hearts and are so thankful to your birth country, your biological family, and your caregivers for all tht they have given to us in you. Most of all we thank God for bringing us all together. We will love you all of your life and we look so forward to watching you grow through the years.
Love,
DaDa & MaMa

This morning in my inquisitive state of mind I decided to research if Vietnamese men grow facial hair since I recall all of the men I seen having nice smooth skin that didn't have "5 o'clock shadows". In my search I found this website http://www.vietventures.com/Info/Listen.asp. I immediately began playing one of the Vietnamese songs and Derek came right to the computer with a mystical look upon his face. He looked into my eyes and smiled and is totally enjoying the music. I believe that some of the words must sound familiar to him. I wish I had thought of this when we needed to comfort him 4 months ago. Anyway he is really enjoying this and Norm thought it would be great to make a CD for in the car for him. I immediately welled up with tears watching his reaction to the music and it made my heart happy to see him remember his culture!!!!

Reflecting On Where We Were Last Year On This Day......

Oh what a wonderful day it was. Sunny, warm, full of fun. Oh, Where Were We????? Sunny California!!!!! Norm took me to Pasadena to spend a few days including New Year's Eve & New Year's Day with Michelle & Jeff. It was my first plane ride ever and I remember the excitement as if I were flying there as I write this. I couldn't wait to see Michelle again, I was anxious to fly and wouldn't you know it.....it snowed and iced that day. We ended up stuck in airports, flights delayed, canceled, and re routed but we managed to arrive safley in L.A. 8 hours late. Michelle tracked us the whole way there and they were waiting patiently at the aiport when we arrived. We got to go to the Rose Bowl Parade. So today as we watched the parade on tv we reflected back to remembering how much more beautiful those floats were in person. In reality I was a little heartbroken that we were stuck here this year. It'll be really fun going to Califonia this time around since we will have "Big D" to travel with us. We hope to invade the Harwell life with our whole family of 5 maybe this summer or fall!!!!!

HAVE YOU.....
Looked at your child lately and cried a tear of joy??? I did tonight. Today was one of those emotion filled days for me. I thought of how much I LOVE my husband and my daughters, how much I MISS my Daddy, how much I LOVE my Mom and pray for God to heal her, and looked deep into Derek's eyes and saw the LOVE reflecting back at me that I have for him. I am so THANKFUL to GOD for the blessings he has bestowed upon myself and my family.
Tonight as I rocked Derek to sleep I shed a tear of JOY for being blessed to have him in our lives and our home.
Look deep into your child's eyes today and feel the love so deep within your heart. It feels so good.
I have vowed to myself that I will begin writing the book my husband believes I should write. I will fill it with the trials and joys of our adoption experience. Be watching for it!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS MORNING.....

It was a late night Christmas Eve and all the creatures seemed to be stirring in the house. Everyone was so full of the Christmas excitement that it took a little extra time to get everyone snuggled under their covers. Once we accomplished that feaat "Santa" & I set out for the gift hideaway. After about 6 trips up and down the steps the gifts were ready to be arranged under the tree and I could finally snuggle into my own bed for a restless night of sleep.
Morning rose and our little alarm clock (Derek) woke us at the same time as every day. 8:00 came way too early that day. We snuggled in bed a little until both the girls were stirring about. We decided to attack our piles of gifts in our jammies this year. Derek was so excited when he seen all the gifts but he still asked to watch Elmo rather than open them. Once we got him started though he just kept rippin' and tearin'. He had a great time. The girls got lots of great things that they liked this year for a change. I cooked Christmas dinner for us and we just had a family day with our Best Gift Of All....Derek!!!! Norm and I spent alot of hours in the day jmust looking at Derek and reflecting on how happy we are to have him in our home and family finally!!!! What a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!!
After a 2 hour nap Derek woke and we headed to Norm's family to have Christmas with them. More gifts to open and food to eat!
On Friday we went about our work days as usual and at supper time we headed to my Mom's to have Christmas with her and my Brother & Nephews. More gifts....more food!!!! We had a wonderful time this holiday having Derek in our lives!!!!

WE WISH YOU A
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Now Santa must get some much needed rest before the sleigh needs filled!

"Big D" Got His Second Christmas Present In The Mailbox Today.....

THANKS MAX!!!!
He loves the book but really LOVES the picture! He can't stop looking at it and carrying it around. Great idea your Mommy had on that one!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Derek Opens His First Christmas Gift.....

Thanks Barb & Alan. He loves them. This is his first Thomas pieces as well and I love the Chinese Dragon car. It is perfect!!!!!
Here's a little video coverage of the event.....

Didn't like the cookies in the last post????

How about some "Lick & Stick Peanut Blossoms" instead????

Anyone Care For A Christmas Cookie??????

Derek helped bake Christmas cookies on Sunday. We loved watching him lick the sugar off his fingers and then......"Double Dip" to decorate the next one. Oh well what's a little toddler slobber???!!!!

CHUGGA, CHUGGA..CHOO, CHOO....

OFF WE GO!!!!!!

Saturday we boarded the local Polar Express with my brother and nephews for a fun ride on the rails. Big D's first train ride!!!! The evening began with a light snowfall as we traveled to our destination to board the train. We stopped by KFC for a quick bite to eat and then poured ourselves back into the van to meet Ken & the boys. When we arrived at the train Derek was awestruck. The train was decked out with icicle lights and with the snow the mood for a winterland train ride was set. Ken knew the owner/engineer making it quite an advantage for us. Instead of sitting in a passenger train car with kerosene heaters we got Deluxe seating in the Dining Car which had just been restored. It was heated and absolutely Beautiful!!!! We traveled miles and laughed and watched out the windows for Christmas decorations on the houses we passed. Derek had the time of his life!!! Well at least until the Big SURPRISE......Santa just happened to come along. Now hear me out, Derek was not afraid of Santa at all but that darn reindeer he brought along was a whole other story. Made Derek scream bloody murder!!!! Once the reindeer trotted away though Derek was back to enjoying the ride. After we arrived back at the station we poured into that van once again and headed to......Dunkin Donuts for a little hot cocoa and of course a doughnut!!! What an enjoyable night!!!! Here's a few pics to check out!!!

GIVE THANKS......

Today as we gather around the table of feast we will give many thanks for the riches in our lives. Our children being the number one thanks. We especially are so very thankful to have Derek home with us for this special holiday. Each year at Thanksgiving we prayed for God to bring Derek home to us soon and this year we have been truly blessed to listen to him run through the house with so much happiness and energy. Thank You God and all who prayed with us.

This year we will be praying especially for my mom as she prepares for her surgery and upcoming battle of her breast cancer. We ask that you will please pray with us as well.

Last night we had friends over and we looked through our pictures from our travel to Vietnam. We were so saddened by the many pictures depicting to our friends the poverty in some areas. Many of the people lived in tin shacks like these. We are so thankful for our comforts of home....be thankful for yours too.

So gather around your loved ones and your holiday meal and be Thankful for the many riches God has blessed your life with.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!